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Pinoy Abroad

Batch of 109 distressed OFWs arrive at NAIA from Saudi Arabia


Another batch of 109 distressed OFWs from Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia arrived at NAIA Saturday morning on a Philippine Airlines flight.

In  a news release, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said that all repatriates were retrenched workers from troubled Al Azmeel Contracting and Construction Corporation, Rakkan Trading and Contracting Company, and SAMAMA Company for Operation and Management.

OWWA helped the OFWs with their flight tickets back to the Philippines, the news released said.

They are among the hundreds of distressed Pinoy workers in the Kingdom who have been sent home through OWWA's help, as promised by Labor Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, it added.

Earlier, Bello promised to bring home before Christmas financially strapped OFWs affected by the three Saudi companies' crises.

OWWA said many of the workers decided to come home due to their employers' contract violations, including: unpaid salaries and/or End of Service Benefits, delayed salaries, lack of vacation leaves, and failure to secure a final exit visa.

While awaiting their flight home, the OWWA gave to each of them a special cash assistance.

Another cash assistance and livelihood package shall be given to the workers upon arrival to their respective hometowns.

OWWA’s repatriation team will render airport assistance to the OFWs, including temporary shelter at OWWA’s Halfway Home as well as transportation assistance. —LBG, GMA News

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